Brocade Skirt and Poly Knit Top

were twofold and meant not to be worn together: first a skirt and then jacket to be worn with the floral tie shirt from my last Mood Sewing Network item. If you’re thinking “what the floral?!” I have to tell you it looked really good together, at least draped on my dressform. Well, that fabric combination isn’t going to happen, because my blazer just didn’t work out and is now going to become a sleeveless blazer.

That little speed bump in my sewing room didn’t stop me. I went right to work on McCall’s 6038, a fitted skirt. This is my TNT skirt pattern and I really like how it looks and feels on.

Wool is one of those fabrics that is so wonderful to sew. It presses beautifully, is easy to sew and just looks fabulous when you are finished. On this skirt, I always used a press cloth and I pinked the seam allowances. This prevented the seam allowance from showing after pressing. My skirt is fully lined and for me I mean fully lined. I don’t do well with wool touching my skin, so I always eliminate the facings and line up to the waistband. I know this is a bit unconventional but it is the only way I can wear wool and I really wanted this fabric. It is hard to photograph but just look at the swatch picture, it is gorgeous. I did use the other side, it has more of the blue and I really liked the look of that side, so whichever side you pick it looks amazing.

The feel of this fabric is luxurious just as the description states, “If you could turn four-ply silk into a knit, this is what it would look and feel like. ” And it is not thin, medium-weight is how Mood describes it. This was the biggest plus for me—not a thin, see-through light-color fabric. This one has weight and substance, so you don’t have to worry about anything showing through. I was looking through my patterns and thought this Butterick would be something a bit more dressy, which I felt the wool brocade needed. Just look at those pleats—I love them—something to frame the face and add interest to the top. The pattern calls for a front facing, but I opted to use a small self-fabric binding, which helps keep the top pulled in, especially when you lean over.

Take a look at the entire silhouette of the shirt, it is fitted without being overly tight. The fabric sews like a dream and is easy to press.

I would flare the bottom of the top out just a little bit the next time I sew, it seems a bit straight from the waist, no womanly curves built in.

I have a navy cardigan on the way to me and this will really complete this outfit for the fall and winter months.

Brocade Skirt and Poly Knit Top was last modified: October 7th, 2013 by Girls in the Garden